Why Winnie-the-Pooh makes Xi Jinping uncomfortable
China’s censors have declared the cuddly bear ursus-non-gratus
WINNIE-THE-POOH is a good-natured, credulous bear. That makes him an unlikely protagonist for a slasher movie. “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey”, released earlier this year, has been panned by film-goers around the world. In Hong Kong it was pulled by cinemas before it opened. It did not even make it that far in mainland China. That is not because of the unconvincing amount of gore that is spilt, nor because the film’s whole premise is preposterous. Any depiction of Pooh is guaranteed to attract the attention of the Chinese authorities. Why?
More from The Economist explains
What are the Russian “turtle tanks” seen in Ukraine?
Wrapping vehicles in corrugated metal might protect them from drone attacks
The tawdry history of “catch-and-kill” journalism
Testimony from Donald Trump’s trial highlights a practice that is normally hidden
Why India’s election is the most expensive in the world
It is not just because of its size